Apparatus for a Pallet Rack

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for a pallet rack includes a column including a tubular member for vertical support. A base plate is joined to a bottom end of the column for anchoring the apparatus to ground. A top cap including a u-shaped structure is joined to a top portion of the column for joining to a vertical support of a pallet rack. An angle bracket is joined to the column including a horizontal pivot point for joining, at the pivot point, to an angle brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane. A horizontal bracket is joined to the column including a vertical pivot point for joining, at the pivot point, to a horizontal brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING APPENDIX

Not applicable.

COPYRIGHT NOTICE

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to metal pallet racking for warehouses. More particularly, the invention relates to means to repair and reinforce pallet racking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides pallet racking repair and reinforcement. Pallet racking is made of multiple vertical supports with holes into which attachment means for horizontal shelves are inserted. The vertical supports typically have many holes to provide adjustability when creating shelving units for holding items of various different shapes and sizes. However, these holes may weaken the vertical supports, and pallet racking often holds heavy loads. Furthermore, pallet racking is typically used in storage areas or warehouses where forklifts are frequently being operated. In these environments the forklifts may hit the pallet racking, which can push the pallet racking over or bend the vertical supports causing the racking to be unstable. It is therefore an objective of the present invention to provide a system for reinforcing pallet racking, generally preventing damage from forklifts, and repairing damaged pallet racking.

There are some currently known systems for repairing the damage caused to pallet racking by forklifts. However, some of these systems make the racking too ridged, which may cause more damage if the racking is hit again, and other systems are not strong enough. Furthermore, none of the currently known systems have means for preventing the forks of forklifts from damaging the racking.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need for improved techniques for reinforcing and repairing pallet racking that is strong, provides some flexibility, and protects the racking from damage that may be caused by the forks of forklifts.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

FIGS. 1A through 1C illustrate an exemplary pallet racking repair and reinforcement system attached to a front vertical support of a pallet racking system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a front perspective view. FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view. FIG. 1C is a side perspective view of a lower portion of the system; and

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an exemplary pallet racking repair and reinforcement system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, an apparatus for a pallet rack is presented.

In one embodiment an apparatus includes means for vertical support, means for anchoring the apparatus to ground, means for joining to a vertical support of a pallet rack, means for joining, at a pivot point, to an angle brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane and means for joining, at a pivot point, to a horizontal brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane.

In another embodiment an apparatus includes a column including a tubular member for vertical support. A base plate is joined to a bottom end of the column for anchoring the apparatus to ground. A top cap including a u-shaped structure is joined to a top portion of the column for joining to a vertical support of a pallet rack. An angle bracket is joined to the column including a horizontal pivot point for joining, at the pivot point, to an angle brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane. A horizontal bracket is joined to the column including a vertical pivot point for joining, at the pivot point, to a horizontal brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane.

In another embodiment an apparatus includes a first column including a tubular member for vertical support. A first base plate is joined to a bottom end of the first column for anchoring the apparatus to ground. A first top cap including a u-shaped structure is joined to a top portion of the first column for joining to a first vertical support of a pallet rack. A first angle bracket is joined to the first column including a horizontal pivot point for joining, at the pivot point, to a first end of an angle brace, and for enabling the angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane. A first horizontal bracket is joined to the first column including a vertical pivot point for joining, at the pivot point, to a first end of a horizontal brace, and for enabling the horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane. A second column includes a tubular member for vertical support. A second base plate is joined to a bottom end of the second column for anchoring the apparatus to ground. A second top cap including a u-shaped structure is joined to a top portion of the second column for joining to a second vertical support of a pallet rack. A second angle bracket is joined to the second column including a horizontal pivot point for joining, at the pivot point, to a second end of the angle brace, and for enabling the angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane. A second horizontal bracket is joined to the first column including a vertical pivot point for joining, at the pivot point, to a second end of the horizontal brace, and for enabling the horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane.

Other features, advantages, and object of the present invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood from the following detailed description, which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is best understood by reference to the detailed figures and description set forth herein.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of the particular application, to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is, there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa, where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily imply that the two are mutually exclusive.

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

It is to be understood that any exact measurements/dimensions or particular construction materials indicated herein are solely provided as examples of suitable configurations and are not intended to be limiting in any way. Depending on the needs of the particular application, those skilled in the art will readily recognize, in light of the following teachings, a multiplicity of suitable alternative implementation details.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention reinforce pallet racking and protect pallet racking from forklift damage by making the lower end of the pallet racking stronger. Preferred embodiments may also be used to repair pallet racking that has been damaged. Preferred embodiments repair or reinforce the racking without damaging the rest of the racking system. Preferred embodiments also comprise an added deflection plate on the front portion to generally prevent the forks of forklifts from hitting the pallet racking. Preferred embodiments of the present invention may be used in any warehouse or other storage area that has pallet racking and forklifts. Preferred embodiments use as much of the original structure of the pallet racking system as possible when repairing the racking system. In some preferred embodiments bright color paint is applied to the apparatus for indicating caution to equipment operators.

FIGS. 1A through 1C illustrate an exemplary pallet racking repair and reinforcement system 100 attached to a front vertical support 105 of a pallet racking system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a front perspective view. FIG. 1B is a rear perspective view. FIG. 1C is a side perspective view of a lower portion of repair and reinforcement system 100. It additionally illustrates by way of example, and not limitation, and exemplary angled deflection plate (described below), in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, repair and reinforcement system 100 repairs and reinforces the lower portion of vertical support 105 of the metal pallet racking from damages caused by forklifts and generally restores the integrity of the racking. This generally makes the pallet racking safer. Repair and reinforcement system 100 comprises a column 110 of 3″×3″×¼″ wall tubing as the body of system 100. A top cap 115 welded to the top of column 110 extends 10″ from the top of column 110 with two connection points 120 to connect top cap 115 to vertical support 105. Repair and reinforcement system 100 also comprises a 5″×7″ base plate 130 with four holes 135 for anchor bolts 140. Anchor bolts 140 enable column 110 to be bolted to the floor. On the front of column 110 near the bottom going up 6″ is a peace of angled deflection plate 145 that generally prevents the forks of forklifts from hitting repair and reinforcement system 100. In the present embodiment, repair and reinforcement system 100 is made so that if a forklift does break anchor bolts 140 from the ground, no damage is done to the a rear vertical support 150, unlike the prior art. A prior design of this type of system uses 3″ C-Channel steel for bracing this makes the system to rigid and the force of the impact goes to the back upright that is only 12 G steel and damages the upright. Our system uses the original bracing from the pallet manufacture and our 2 piece tube brace with a low shear bolt. This will stop the force from making it to the back upright.

In typical use of the present embodiment, the lower portion of vertical support 105 is removed and repair and reinforcement system 100 is added to vertical support 105. The top of column 110 is placed directly under vertical support 105, and top cap 115 is bolted to vertical support 105 at connection points 120. Then, an angle brace 155 and a horizontal brace 165 of the pallet racking system are bolted to column 110. System 100 can be used to repair damaged pallet racking or can be used as a pallet racking reinforcement for various reasons for example, without limitation, because the racking holds a large amount of weight or because the racking is in a high-traffic area. System 100 can be used as a seismic retrofit to make non-seismic pallet racking seismic. System 100 can also be used as a preventive tool to generally prevent pallet racking damage and to generally prevent the forks of forklifts from damaging the vertical supports of the pallet racking. System 100 can also be used to fix the back lag of a vertical support.

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of an exemplary pallet racking repair and reinforcement system 200, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment, repair and reinforcement system 200 comprises two columns 210 that are connected to two vertical supports 205 of a pallet racking system. Columns 210 are connected with an angle brace 255 and a horizontal brace 265. System 200 may be used when multiple vertical supports of a racking system are damaged. System 200 can also be used to lift a racking system off the ground to make it taller.

Having fully described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other equivalent or alternative methods of providing pallet racking repair and reinforcement according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The invention has been described above by way of illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed. For example, the particular implementation of the pallet racking repair and reinforcement system may vary depending upon the particular type of column and braces used. The systems described in the foregoing were directed to implementations with columns made of square tube with one angled brace and one horizontal brace; however, similar techniques are to use columns of various different shapes such as, but not limited to, circular tubing, triangular tubing, solid rod, etc. and to use fewer or more braces. Implementations of the present invention comprising various different column and brace configurations are contemplated as within the scope of the present invention. The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Claim elements and steps herein have been numbered and/or lettered solely as an aid in readability and understanding. As such, the numbering and lettering in itself is not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements and/or steps in the claims. 

1. An apparatus comprising: means for vertical support; means for anchoring the apparatus to ground; means for joining to a vertical support of a pallet rack; means for joining, at a pivot point, to an angle brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane; and means for joining, at a pivot point, to a horizontal brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane.
 2. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for securing said anchoring means to ground.
 3. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for deflecting impacts from equipment.
 4. The apparatus as recited in claim 1, further comprising means for indicating caution to equipment operators.
 5. An apparatus comprising: a column comprising a tubular member for vertical support; a base plate joined to a bottom end of said column for anchoring the apparatus to ground; a top cap comprising a u-shaped structure joined to a top portion of said column for joining to a vertical support of a pallet rack; an angle bracket joined to said column comprising a horizontal pivot point for joining, at said pivot point, to an angle brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane; and a horizontal bracket joined to said column comprising a vertical pivot point for joining, at said pivot point, to a horizontal brace of the pallet rack, and for enabling the horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane.
 6. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising anchor bolts for securing said base plate to ground.
 7. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising an angled deflection plate joined to a front lower portion of said column for deflecting impacts from equipment.
 8. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, further comprising bright color paint applied to the apparatus for indicating caution to equipment operators.
 9. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said top cap is joined to the vertical support with bolts.
 10. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said horizontal pivot point and said vertical pivot point comprise bolts.
 11. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said angled deflection plate is joined to said column by welding.
 12. The apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said column is rectangular in shape.
 13. The apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said angled deflection plate comprises a right angle.
 14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13, wherein said angled deflection plate substantially covers said front lower portion.
 15. An apparatus comprising: a first column comprising a tubular member for vertical support; a first base plate joined to a bottom end of said first column for anchoring the apparatus to ground; a first top cap comprising a u-shaped structure joined to a top portion of said first column for joining to a first vertical support of a pallet rack; an angle brace; a first angle bracket joined to said first column comprising a horizontal pivot point for joining, at said pivot point, to a first end of said angle brace, and for enabling said angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane; a horizontal brace; a first horizontal bracket joined to said first column comprising a vertical pivot point for joining, at said pivot point, to a first end of said horizontal brace, and for enabling said horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane; a second column comprising a tubular member for vertical support; a second base plate joined to a bottom end of said second column for anchoring the apparatus to ground; a second top cap comprising a u-shaped structure joined to a top portion of said second column for joining to a second vertical support of a pallet rack; a second angle bracket joined to said second column comprising a horizontal pivot point for joining, at said pivot point, to a second end of said angle brace, and for enabling said angle brace to pivot in a vertical plane; and a second horizontal bracket joined to said first column comprising a vertical pivot point for joining, at said pivot point, to a second end of said horizontal brace, and for enabling said horizontal brace to pivot in a horizontal plane.
 16. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, further comprising anchor bolts for securing said base plate to ground.
 17. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, further comprising a first angled deflection plate joined to a front lower portion of said first column and a second angled deflection plate joined to a front lower portion of said second column for deflecting impacts from equipment.
 18. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, further comprising bright color paint applied to the apparatus for indicating caution to equipment operators.
 19. The apparatus as recited in claim 15, wherein said first column and said second column are rectangular in shape.
 20. The apparatus as recited in claim 19, wherein said first angled deflection plate and said second angled deflection plate comprise right angles. 